96641 - Advanced Chinese

Learning outcomes

The student knows the basic features (terms, concepts and methods) needed for the study of the structure, functions and textual organization of the Chinese language; s/he knows the basic techniques required for information mining, drafting, editing and revising text and is able to understand, analyze and coherently produce complex written texts (but also oral speeches) belonging to various specialized text types and genres.

Course contents

During the course, students will be introduced to a range of articles and multimedia materials drawn from literary works, newspapers, films, songs, television programmes, websites, and social media, focusing on the lives and ideas of young people in contemporary China.

Topics covered will include, for example, the use of smartphones and social media among young people in China, birth-control policies, the education system and the phenomenon of “jiwa”, romantic relationships and marriage, as well as popular culture and fandom-related practices.

The course aims to develop students’ communicative skills in everyday situations, enhance their intercultural communication skills, and deepen their understanding of contemporary China. Through the analysis of different text types and genres, students will also consolidate their syntactic and expressive skills in Chinese. They will be asked to discuss the materials orally and, subsequently, to produce written texts independently under the guidance of the lecturer.

Readings/Bibliography

Suggested readings:

Abbiati M., (2014) Grammatica del cinese moderno, Venezia: Cafoscarina

Romagnoli C., (2016) Grammatica cinese, Milano: Hoeplin

Dictionaries:

Zhao X., (2013) Il dizionario cinese-italiano, italiano-cinese, Bologna: Zanichelli

Casacchia, G., Bai Y., (2013) Dizionario cinese-italiano, Venezia: Cafoscarina.

Lv S., Ding S., (2012) Xiandai hanyu cidian (Modern Chinese Dictionary), Beijing:Shangwu yinshuguan

Further materials will be submitted by the teacher and available on Moodle platform

Teaching methods

The materials selected aim to draw students attention to the chinese current events and complex syntactic structures of chinese language. Through careful analyze of the above mentioned texts, difficulties related to writing skills will be highlighted.

Duration of the course (COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE 70%): 40 hours in traditional lecture mode + 40 practising hours with native chinese teacher

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend the online Modules 1, 2 on Health and Safety [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas].

Assessment methods

the assessment consists in two tests and the final vote will be the average of both.

- writing exam: The two-hour written examination consists of a written composition on a topic covered during the course and selected by the lecturer. Both grammatical accuracy and expressive and stylistic skills will be taken into account in the assessment.

During the exam, only printed dictionaries may be used. The use of electronic devices, online dictionaries or any other online resources will not be permitted.

It is strictly forbidden to use AI during the exam. Any violation of this rule will be considered a serious breach of acedemic ethics.

- oral exam: divided in three parts.

Reading: Read aloud a passage from the texts analyzed during the course (without pinyin).
Comprehension: Correctly explain and summarize the passage read in Chinese.
Reflection: Answer questions related to the passage read in Chinese.

Students with specific learning difficulties (SpLD) or with disabilities that can affect their ability to attend courses are invited to contact the University service for students with disabilities and SLD at the earliest opportunity -- ideally before the start of the course: [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students] . The University service will suggest possible adjustments to the course work and/or exam, which must then be submitted to the course leader so they can assess their feasibility, in line with the learning objectives of the course. Please note that adjustments to the exam must be requested at least two weeks in advance.

Learning evaluation scale

30-30L

Excellent level. The candidate possesses excellent language skills, with a very high level of competence in Chinese.

27-29

Above average level. The candidate makes only minor errors, and shows a solid command of the required skills and competences.

24– 26

Generally sound level. The candidate displays a number of shortcomings, indicating a reasonable command of the required skills and competences.

21-23

Adequate level. The candidate displays significant shortcomings and only an adequate command of the required skills and competences.

18– 20

Minim level. The candidate only meets the minimum level required and shows a minimal command of the required skills and competences.

< 18 Fail

The candidate’s does not meet the required standard and shows a wholly inadequate command of the required skills and competences.

Teaching tools

The materials used in class will be available on the virtual platform starting from the first week of the course.

 

Office hours

See the website of Yan Wen